Method of converting carbon dioxide, and method of capturing and converting carbon dioxide

ABSTRACT

A method of converting CO 2  may include mixing a reducing material reforming agent including one selected from a reaction product of a CO 2  absorbing material (C abs ) and CO 2 , a reaction product of a CO 2  absorbing material (C abs ), CO 2 , and H 2 O, and a combination thereof with a reducing material to provide a CO 2  converting material (also referred to herein as a CO 2  converted material). The CO 2  absorbing material (C abs ) may include one selected from a metal, a metal oxide, a metal carbonate, a metal bicarbonate, and a combination thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0121336, filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Dec. 1, 2010, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0122970, filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Nov. 23, 2011, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This disclosure relates to a method of converting carbon dioxide, and a method of capturing and converting carbon dioxide.

2. Description of the Related Art

A flue gas may include carbon dioxide. When the carbon dioxide is discharged into the atmosphere, the carbon dioxide may cause or contribute to a greenhouse effect or the like.

Accordingly, research has been conducted on the capture of carbon dioxide so as to provide a synthesis gas with less detrimental effects to the environment.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments relate to a method of converting CO₂ and/or a method of capturing and converting CO₂ in a relatively simple and economical way.

According to a non-limiting embodiment, a method of converting CO₂ may include mixing a reducing material reforming agent (also referred to herein as a reforming agent) including one selected from a reaction product of a CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) and CO₂, a reaction product of a CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), CO₂, and H₂O, and a combination thereof with a reducing material to provide a CO₂ converting material (also referred to herein as a CO₂ converted material).

The CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) may include one selected from a metal, a metal oxide, a metal carbonate, a metal bicarbonate, and a combination thereof.

The metal may include one selected from an alkali metal, an alkaline-earth metal, a rare earth element, a transition element, and a combination thereof.

For example, the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) may include one selected from Sr, Mn, Mg, Li, Zn, K, Ca, Ag, Cs, Na, Fe, Ba, Cu, oxides thereof, carbonates thereof, bicarbonates thereof, and a combination thereof.

The reducing material may include one selected from hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C30 aliphatic hydrocarbon, a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C30 alicyclic hydrocarbon, a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 aromatic hydrocarbon, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C30 alcohol, ammonia, and a combination thereof.

The method of converting CO₂ may further include adding a catalyst to provide a CO₂ converting material. The catalyst may include one selected from Fe, Co, Cu, Ni, Ru, Pt, Ir, Pd, Al, Ga, Mn, Si, Zr, and a combination thereof.

The CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) may further include a catalyst, and the catalyst may be the same as described above.

The CO₂ converting material obtained from the CO₂ conversion method may include one selected from the group consisting of: a synthesis gas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide; a chemical fuel including one selected from a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C30 alcohol, a substituted or unsubstituted C2 to C30 ether, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C30 aliphatic hydrocarbon, a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C30 alicyclic hydrocarbon, a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 aromatic hydrocarbon, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C30 organic acid, urea, derivatives thereof, and a combination thereof; and a combination thereof.

For example, the CO₂ converting material may include one selected from the group consisting of: a synthesis gas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide; a chemical fuel including one selected from methane, methanol, dimethylether (DME), diesel, formic acid, acetic acid, formaldehyde, an olefin, a paraffin, dimethylcarbonate (DMC), urea, and a combination thereof; and a combination thereof.

According to another non-limiting embodiment, a device may be configured to perform the CO₂ conversion method.

According to another non-limiting embodiment, a method of capturing and converting CO₂ may include preparing a CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), mixing the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) with a flue gas including CO₂ to provide a reducing material reforming agent including one selected from a reaction product of a CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) and CO₂, a reaction product of a CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), CO₂, and H₂O, and a combination thereof, and mixing the reducing material reforming agent with a reducing material to provide a CO₂ converting material.

The CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) may include one selected from a metal, a metal oxide, a metal carbonate, a metal bicarbonate, and a combination thereof.

In the method of capturing and converting CO₂, the step of mixing the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) with the CO₂-included flue gas to provide a reducing material reforming agent including one selected from a reaction product of a CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) and CO₂, a reaction product of a CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), CO₂, and H₂O, and a combination thereof and the step of mixing the reducing material reforming agent with a reducing material to provide a CO₂ converting material may be simultaneously performed. The CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) regenerated during the step of providing the CO₂ converting material may be recycled for use in forming an additional reducing material reforming agent including one selected from a reaction product of the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) and CO₂, a reaction product of a CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), CO₂, and H₂O, and a combination thereof. The additional reducing material reforming agent may then be recycled for use in providing an additional CO₂ converting material.

The metal, the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), the reducing material, and the CO₂ converting material may be the same as described above.

The CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) may further include a catalyst, and the catalyst may be the same as described above.

The CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) may be mixed at about 1 mole or more per about 1 mole of CO₂ included in the flue gas.

The method of capturing and converting CO₂ may further include adding a catalyst while providing the CO₂ converting material. The catalyst may be the same as described above.

According to another non-limiting embodiment, a device may be configured to perform the method of capturing and converting CO₂.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph showing a material distribution according to temperature when CO₂ is captured and converted using MgO as a CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) and CH₄ as a reducing material.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing a material distribution according to temperature when CO₂ is captured and converted using CaO as a CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) and CH₄ as a reducing material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter in the following detailed description, in which various non-limiting embodiments have been described. It should be understood that this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

As used herein, when a definition is not otherwise provided, the term “substituted” refers to one substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of a halogen (—F, —Cl, —Br, or —I), a hydroxy group, a nitro group, a cyano group, an amino group (NH₂, NH(R¹⁰⁰) or N(R¹⁰²)(R¹⁰²), wherein R¹⁰⁰, R¹⁰¹, and R¹⁰² are each independently a C1 to C10 alkyl group), an amidino group, a hydrazine group, a hydrazone group, a carboxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted haloalkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted alicyclic organic group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group, and a substituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl group, instead of at least one hydrogen of a functional group.

As used herein, when a definition is not otherwise provided, the term “aliphatic hydrocarbon” may refer to a C1 to C30 alkane, a C2 to C30 alkene, or a C2 to C30 alkyne, specifically a C1 to C15 alkane, a C2 to C15 alkene, or a C2 to C15 alkyne, the term “alicyclic hydrocarbon” may refer to a C3 to C30 cycloalkane, a C3 to C30 cycloalkene, or a C3 to C30 cycloalkyne, specifically a C3 to C15 cycloalkane, a C3 to C15 cycloalkene, or a C3 to C15 cycloalkyne, and the term “aromatic hydrocarbon” may refer to a C6 to C30 aromatic hydrocarbon, specifically a C6 to C20 aromatic hydrocarbon.

According to a non-limiting embodiment, a method of converting CO₂ may include mixing a reducing material reforming agent (also referred to as a reforming agent) including one selected from a reaction product of a CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) and CO₂, a reaction product of a CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), CO₂, and H₂O, and a combination thereof with a reducing material to provide a CO₂ converting material. The CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), which is a material capable of capturing CO₂, may include one selected from a metal, a metal oxide, a metal carbonate, a metal bicarbonate, and a combination thereof.

The metal may include one selected from an alkali metal, an alkaline-earth metal, a rare earth element, a transition element, and a combination thereof. For example, the alkali metal may include one selected from Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr, and a combination thereof. The alkaline-earth metal may include one selected from Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra, and a combination thereof. The rare earth element may include one selected from Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and a combination thereof. The transition element may include one selected from Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, La, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, Hg, Ac, and a combination thereof.

The CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) may include one selected from Sr, Mn, Mg, Li, Zn, K, Ca, Ag, Cs, Na, Fe, Ba, Cu, oxides thereof, carbonates thereof, bicarbonates thereof, and a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

For example, the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) may include one selected from Fe, Ag, Cu, CaO, MgO, ZnO, K₂CO₃, NaO, Na₂O, LiO, FeO, BaO, SrO, MnO, Mn₂O₃, Mn₃O₄, CuO, Ag₂O, AgO, and a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

The CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) may further include a catalyst. For example, the catalyst may be included by doping the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), by substituting one or more atoms in a crystal lattice of the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), or by disposing the catalyst so as to be supported on the surface of the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), but is not limited thereto.

The catalyst may accelerate decomposition of the reducing material to form a CO₂ converting material (also referred to as a CO₂ converted material). For example, the catalyst may include one selected from Fe, Co, Cu, Ni, Ru, Pt, Ir, Pd, Al, Ga, Mn, Si, Zr and a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

The reducing material reforming agent includes one selected from a reaction product of a CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) and CO₂, a reaction product of a CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), CO₂, and H₂O, and a combination thereof. The reforming agent may be used for modifying a reducing material to provide a CO₂ converting material.

The reducing material reforming agent may include one selected from a carbonate, a bicarbonate, and a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. For example, the carbonate may include one selected from MgCO₃, Mg(CO₃)₂, CaCO₃, KCO₃, K₂CO₃, NaCO₃, Na₂CO₃, LiCO₃, Li₂CO₃, FeCO₃, CuCO₃, Ag₂CO₃, BaCO₃, SrCO₃, MnCO₃, Mn(CO₃)₂, and a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. The bicarbonate may include one selected from KHCO₃, NaHCO₃, and a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

When the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) may include a catalyst, the reducing material reforming agent may also include a catalyst. For example, the catalyst may be included by doping the reducing material reforming agent, by substituting one or more atoms in a crystal lattice of the reducing material reforming agent, or by disposing the catalyst so as to be supported on the surface of the reducing material reforming agent, but is not limited thereto.

A reducing material for forming the CO₂ converting material may include one selected from hydrogen (H₂), a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C30 aliphatic hydrocarbon (e.g., such as methane), a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C30 alicyclic hydrocarbon, a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 aromatic hydrocarbon, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C30 alcohol (e.g., such as methanol), ammonia, and a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. The kind and the amount of the reducing material may be adjusted depending upon the kind of CO₂ converting material to be obtained.

While providing a CO₂ converting material, a catalyst may be further added, and the catalyst may be the same as described above.

When a catalyst is added in the step of providing a CO₂ converting material, the reducing material reforming agent may include the catalyst. Thereby, a CO₂ converting material may be effectively formed by reacting the reducing material reforming agent including the catalyst with a reducing material. For example, the catalyst may be included by doping the reducing material reforming agent, by substituting one or more atoms in a crystal lattice of the reducing material reforming agent, or by disposing the catalyst so as to be supported on the surface of the reducing material reforming agent, but is not limited thereto. However, the step of providing a CO₂ converting material is not limited to the procedures described above. The catalyst added in providing a CO₂ converting material may be omitted in the reducing material reforming agent and may take part in providing a CO₂ converting material.

A CO₂ converting material that is obtained from the CO₂ conversion method may include one selected from the group consisting of: a synthesis gas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide; a chemical fuel including one selected from a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C30 alcohol, a substituted or unsubstituted C2 to C30 ether, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C30 aliphatic hydrocarbon, a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C30 alicyclic hydrocarbon, a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 aromatic hydrocarbon, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C30 organic acid, urea, derivatives thereof, and a combination thereof; and a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

For example, the CO₂ converting material may include one selected from the group consisting of: a synthesis gas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide; a chemical fuel including one selected from a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C15 alcohol, a substituted or unsubstituted C2 to C15 ether, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C15 aliphatic hydrocarbon, a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C15 alicyclic hydrocarbon, a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C20 aromatic hydrocarbon, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C15 organic acid, urea, derivatives thereof, and a combination thereof; and a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

In a further example, the CO₂ converting material may include one selected from the group consisting of: a synthesis gas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide; a chemical fuel including one selected from methane, methanol, dimethylether (DME), diesel, formic acid, acetic acid, formaldehyde, an olefin, a paraffin, dimethylcarbonate (DMC), urea, and a combination thereof; and a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

According to another non-limiting embodiment, a device for performing the CO₂ conversion method is provided, and the device may be fabricated in various ways. For example, the device may include a CO₂ converter, a plant, a power generator, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

The method of capturing and converting CO₂ according to another non-limiting embodiment may include preparing a CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), mixing the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) with a flue gas including CO₂ to provide a reducing material reforming agent including one selected from a reaction product of a CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) and CO₂, a reaction product of a CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), CO₂, and H₂O, and a combination thereof, and mixing the reducing material reforming agent with a reducing material to provide a CO₂ converting material. The CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), which is a material capable of capturing CO₂, may include one selected from a metal, a metal oxide, a metal carbonate, a metal bicarbonate, and a combination thereof.

The CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), the metal, the reducing material reforming agent, the reducing material, and the CO₂ converting material may be the same as described above.

According to the method of capturing and converting CO₂, the flue gas may be directly mixed with the reducing material after capturing the CO₂ and without separating the CO₂ to provide a CO₂ converting material. After capturing the CO₂, the CO₂-removed flue gas is discharged to the outside of a reactor. Thereby, the CO₂ capture and the CO₂ conversion may be simultaneously performed, which may improve efficiency and save costs.

In addition, in the CO₂ capture and conversion method, CO₂ may become a CO₂ converting material (also referred to as a CO₂ converted material) from the reducing material reforming agent while providing a CO₂ converting material, and the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) may be regenerated. The regenerated CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) may be mixed with the flue gas including CO₂ to be recycled for providing a reducing material reforming agent. In other words, the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) regenerated from the step of providing a CO₂ converting material may be recycled for providing a reducing material reforming agent, and the reducing material reforming agent may be recycled for providing a CO₂ converting material. According to the CO₂ capture and conversion method, additional CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) may not be needed because of the regeneration, and the step of mixing the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) with the flue gas including CO₂ to provide a reducing material reforming agent may be simultaneously performed with the step of mixing the reducing material reforming agent with a reducing material to provide a CO₂ converting material, which may simplify the process and effectively improve the economics.

However, without being limited thereto, the CO₂ capture and conversion method may be further include supplying a CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), if required.

The CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) may further include a catalyst. For example, the catalyst may be included by doping the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), by substituting one or more atoms in a crystal lattice of the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), or by disposing the catalyst so as to be supported on the surface of the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), but is not limited thereto.

The catalyst and when the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) may further include a catalyst may be the same as described above.

In the CO₂ capture and conversion method, the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) may be added at about 1 mole or more per about 1 mole of CO₂ included in the flue gas. When the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) is mixed within this range, it may effectively capture the CO₂ included in the flue gas.

While providing a CO₂ converting material, a catalyst may be further added. The catalyst and when a catalyst is further added in the step of providing a CO₂ converting material may be the same as described above.

According to another non-limiting embodiment, a device for performing the CO₂ capture and conversion method is provided, and the device may be manufactured in various forms. For example, the device may include a CO₂ capturer and converter, a plant, a power generator, or the like, but is not limited thereto. Hereinafter, the CO₂ capture and conversion method according to various embodiments is described with reference to the following examples. However, the CO₂ capture and conversion method according to the various example embodiments is not limited thereto.

As an example, MgO may be used as the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), and CH₄ may be used as the reducing material. In this case, the MgO is mixed with the flue gas including CO₂ to perform a reaction according to the following Reaction Scheme 1 to provide a reducing material reforming agent of MgCO₃. Thereby, CO₂ may be captured according to the following Reaction Scheme 1.

The provided MgCO₃ is mixed with a reducing material of CH₄ and reacted according to the following Reaction Scheme 2 to provide a synthesis gas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Thus, the CO₂ converted material may include regenerated MgO(s) and the synthesis gas (CO(g) and H₂(g)).

The regenerated MgO(s) may be recycled for use as a starting material in Reaction Scheme 1.

FIG. 1 is a graph showing a material distribution according to temperature which confirms that the reaction is performed according to Reaction Scheme 2. As shown in FIG. 1, when about 1 mole of MgCO₃(s) is reacted with about 1 mole of CH₄(g), the reaction provides about 1 mole of MgO(s), about 2 moles of CO(g), and about 2 moles of H₂(g).

As another example, CaO may be used as a CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), and CH₄ may be used as a reducing material. In this case, the CaO is mixed with flue gas including CO₂ and reacted according to the following Reaction Scheme 3 to provide a reducing material reforming agent of CaCO₃. Thereby, CO₂ may be captured according to the following Reaction Scheme 3.

The provided CaCO₃ is mixed with a reducing material of CH₄ and reacted according to the following Reaction Scheme 4 to provide a synthesis gas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Thus, the CO₂ converted material may include regenerated CaO(s) and the synthesis gas (CO(g) and H₂(g)).

The regenerated CaO(s) may be recycled for use as a starting material in Reaction Scheme 3.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing a material distribution according to temperature which confirms that the reaction is performed according to Reaction Scheme 4. As shown in FIG. 2, when about 1 mole of CaCO₃ (s) is reacted with about 1 mole of CH₄ (g), the reaction provides about 1 mole of CaO(s), about 2 moles of CO(g), and about 2 moles of H₂(g).

As another example, K₂CO₃ may be used as a CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), and CH₄ may be used as a reducing material. In this case, the K₂CO₃ is mixed with flue gas including CO₂ and reacted according to the following Reaction Scheme 5 to provide a reducing material reforming agent of KHCO₃. Thereby, CO₂ may be captured according to the following Reaction Scheme 5.

The provided KHCO₃ is mixed with a reducing material of CH₄ and reacted according to the following Reaction Scheme 6 to provide a synthesis gas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Thus, the CO₂ converted material may include regenerated K₂CO₃(s) and the synthesis gas (CO(g) and H₂(g)).

The regenerated K₂CO₃(s) may be recycled for us as a starting material in Reaction Scheme 5.

From the examples, it is confirmed that the method of capturing and converting CO₂ may be simplified and economically improved in an effective way since the additional CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) is not added, and the step of mixing the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) with the flue gas including CO₂ to provide a reducing material reforming agent is simultaneously performed with the step of mixing the reducing material reforming agent with a reducing material to provide a CO₂ converting material (also referred to herein as a CO₂ converted material).

EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, this disclosure is discussed in more detail with reference to the following examples. However, it should be understood that these are merely example embodiments and should not be construed as limiting.

Example 1 Performance of CO₂ Capturing Reaction and Converting Reaction (using Ru—MgO)

A CO₂ capturing reaction using Ru—MgO which is an Ru-included CO₂ absorbing material, and subsequently a CO₂ converting reaction using Ru—MgCO₃ which is a reducing material reforming agent obtained from the CO₂ capturing reaction are performed in series. For such continuous reactions, an ½ inch-straight type quartz reactor is equipped in an electric furnace, and a reactant is allowed to continuously pass through the Ru-included CO₂ absorbing material Ru—MgO or the reducing material reforming agent Ru—MgCO₃ layer in the reactor while maintaining a constant reaction temperature using a temperature controller. The amounts of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen used in the reactions are controlled by using a mass flow controller.

Specifically, the quartz reactor is filled with 0.5 g of Ru—MgO prior to the CO₂ capturing reaction, and then the quartz reactor is heated up to 200° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere to remove impurities from the surface of Ru—MgO and to activate Ru—MgO. For the CO₂ capturing reaction, a reaction temperature is fixed at 200° C. while maintaining a molar ratio of CO₂:N₂ to be 0.4:0.6, and adjusting a space velocity at 24,000 ml/h·g. As a result, referring to the following Table 1, CO₂ 15.0 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the filled Ru—MgO is captured to provide a reducing material reforming agent Ru—MgCO₃.

For the CO₂ converting reaction to occur in series subsequent to the CO₂ capturing reaction, the reactor completed with the CO₂ capturing reaction is heated up to 500° C., and then a reducing material of CH₄ diluted with nitrogen is injected into the reactor. For the CO₂ converting reaction, a reaction temperature is fixed at 500° C. while maintaining a molar ratio of CH₄:N₂ to be 0.5:0.5, and adjusting a space velocity at 24,000 ml/h·g. As a result, referring to the following Table 1, a conversion rate of CH₄ is 13.8%. From the synthesis of a CO₂ converting material including hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the form of gas, as well as the re-conversion of a reducing material reforming agent Ru—MgCO₃ into a CO₂ absorbing material Ru—MgO, it is confirmed that a CO₂ capturing reaction and a CO₂ converting reaction occur in series.

Example 2 Performance of CO₂ Capturing Reaction and Converting Reaction (using Ru—CaO)

A CO₂ capturing reaction using an Ru-included CO₂ absorbing material Ru—CaO, and a CO₂ converting reaction using a reducing material reforming agent of Ru—CaCO₃ obtained from the CO₂ capturing reaction are performed in series. The CO₂ capturing reaction and CO₂ converting reaction were performed according to the same method as discussed in Example 1 except the temperature of the CO₂ capturing reaction was maintained at 500° C. and the temperature of the CO₂ converting reaction was maintained at 800° C.

As a result, referring to the following Table 1, CO₂ 44.2 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the filled Ru—CaO is captured to provide a reducing material reforming agent Ru—CaCO₃. Also, as a result of the CO₂ converting reaction, referring to the following Table 1, a conversion rate of CH₄ is 85.4%. From the synthesis of a CO₂ converting material including hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the form of gas, as well as the re-conversion of a reducing material reforming agent Ru—CaCO₃ into a CO₂ absorbing material Ru—CaO, it is confirmed that a CO₂ capturing reaction and a CO₂ converting reaction occur in series.

TABLE 1 An amount of CO₂ captured A temperature of CO₂ (parts by weight based on A temperature of CO₂ capturing reaction 100 parts by weight of the converting reaction A conversion rate (° C.) CO₂ absorbing material) (° C.) of CH₄ (%) Example 1 200 15.0 500 13.8 (Ru—MgO) Example 2 500 44.2 800 85.4 (Ru—CaO)

Referring to Table 1, it is confirmed that a CO₂ capturing reaction and a CO₂ converting reaction may be continuously performed, and improved efficiencies of CO₂ capturing and CO2 converting may be achieved according to Examples 1 and 2.

While this disclosure has been described in connection with various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of capturing and converting CO₂, the method comprising: first mixing a CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) with a flue gas to form a reforming agent, the flue gas including CO₂, the reforming agent comprising at least one of a reaction product of the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) and CO₂, and a reaction product of the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)), CO₂, and H₂O, the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) including at least one of a metal, a metal oxide, a metal carbonate, and a metal bicarbonate; and second mixing the reforming agent with a reducing material to form a CO₂ converted material, wherein the first mixing and the second mixing are simultaneously performed, and the CO₂ converted material includes a regenerated CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) that is recycled so as to mix with the flue gas to form an additional reforming agent, and the additional reforming agent is recycled to form an additional CO₂ converted material.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mixing includes ensuring that the metal comprises at least one of an alkali metal, an alkaline-earth metal, a rare earth element, and a transition element.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mixing includes ensuring that the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) comprises at least one of Sr, Mn, Mg, Li, Zn, K, Ca, Ag, Cs, Na, Fe, Ba, Cu, oxides thereof, carbonates thereof, and bicarbonates thereof.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mixing includes ensuring that the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) comprises a catalyst.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first mixing includes ensuring that the catalyst comprises at least one of Fe, Co, Cu, Ni, Ru, Pt, Ir, Pd, Al, Ga, Mn, Si, and Zr.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein first mixing includes mixing about 1 mole or more of the CO₂ absorbing material (C_(abs)) with about 1 mole of the CO₂ in the flue gas.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second mixing includes ensuring that the reducing material comprises at least one of hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C30 aliphatic hydrocarbon, a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C30 alicyclic hydrocarbon, a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 aromatic hydrocarbon, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C30 alcohol, and ammonia.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: adding a catalyst to form the CO₂ converted material.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the adding includes ensuring that the catalyst comprises at least one of Fe, Co, Cu, Ni, Ru, Pt, Ir, Pd, Al, Ga, Mn, Si, and Zr.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the second mixing includes ensuring that the CO₂ converted material comprises at least one of a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide; and a chemical fuel comprising at least one of a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C30 alcohol, a substituted or unsubstituted C2 to C30 ether, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C30 aliphatic hydrocarbon, a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C30 alicyclic hydrocarbon, a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C30 aromatic hydrocarbon, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C30 organic acid, urea, and derivatives thereof.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second mixing includes ensuring that the CO₂ converted material comprises at least one of a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide; and a chemical fuel comprising at least one of methane, methanol, dimethylether (DME), diesel, formic acid, acetic acid, formaldehyde, an olefin, a paraffin, dimethylcarbonate (DMC), and urea. 